The acquisition of key forward Lachlan Henderson from Brisbane as part of the Brendan Fevola trade was a significant factor in shaping Carlton's strategy at the 2009 AFL national draft according to the club's recruiting manager, Wayne Hughes.

Widely considered to be in the market for a key position player with their first pick, the Blues opted instead for a hard-running midfielder-forward in Kane Lucas from East Fremantle.

"We were really delighted that he was available at 12," said Hughes.

"He had a good series in the national Under-18s this year and played well with East Fremantle when he returned to the WAFL for the second half of the year."

"He was very impressive at the draft camp and everything just seemed to stack up."

"We're really happy to take Kane first."

Asked whether any taller, key position prospects had been in the mix for pick 12, Hughes said: "Getting Lachie Henderson in as part of the trade for 'Fev' really helped us in relation to what we wanted to do at this draft because we think he can fill that void."

"It's just the way that we rated the players - if they're there, they're there and if they're not, they're not - it's just the way it panned out."

Hughes said he expects Lucas, a 2009 Under-18 All-Australian who was among the quickest at this year's draft camp with a scorching 2.93seconds for 20-metres, to play senior football next season.

"We never put pressure on young fellas to do that straight off, but he certainly played league football comfortably in Perth and history tells you that them guys can step up to the mark pretty well, especially with his athletic qualities," said Hughes.

"He'll handle the pre-season very well."

Hughes said he "really rates" Tasmanian defender Marcus Davies who became a Blue with the club's third-round selection, No.43 overall.

"At 191cm you could consider him a tall defender, but he can play on different sizes because of his agility and his running."

"He's a really good runner and we'll look for some run and carry out of defence and good use of the footy."

A "prospective pick" is how Hughes described Rohan Kerr, Carlton's third and final selection (No.59), a pacy half-forward who was a standout for the Dandenong Stingrays in their 2009 TAC Cup Grand Final loss to Calder.

"He would probably be one of the most surprised players tonight I would have thought," said Hughes.